LYCODIX^. 4g 



The dorsal fin, whose distance from the snout is 27 — 29",, of the total length, contains 

 96 — 97 rays, the anal fin 81 — 82 (half the caudal fin is reckoned with each). The pectorals have 18—20 

 rays. The ventrals are on the whole, somewhat longer and more developed than in the other forms 

 of L. pa/lidits. 



Scales. We do not know the yomigest stages, but the smallest of the present specimens is 

 already remarkable for the strong development of scales, tliongh it is onh- 117,5 nun. 'o'lR! the scal\' 

 covering extends forward to the neck and almost to the base of the pectorals, as well as forward on 

 the bell\- to a line drawn almost between the anterior third of the pectorals. The 128 mm. long 

 specimen has scales on the whole of the belly, to the base of the \entrals, and scales have begun 

 to appear on the base of the unpaired fins; the scaly covering has thus almost reached its fullest 

 development in this small specimen, as much as it does in the Lycodes genus, as it is essentially onh- 

 the head which remains naked. The three largest specimens (245, 248 and 260 mm.) have only advanced 

 further in that the scales have spread out more on to the unpaired fins. The remaining specimen.s, 

 whose lengths lie between 143 and 230 mm., display a little variation, as the scaly covering in some 

 of them has almost the same distribution as in the largest individuals, whereas in others the scales 

 on the belly only reach forward to a line between the anterior third of the pectorals or to the ti]; of 

 the ventrals when stretched out backwards, and there ma\' also be a naked stri]) in the middle line 

 of the back in front of the dorsal fin; in all, the scales extend out more or less on to the unpaired 

 fins. — Whilst, in the two previous forms of L. pallidus^ the scales did not extend below on to the 

 belly itself, the underpart of the belly is always scaled in the present form, either to the base of the 

 ventrals or at least to a short distance from it, and on the whole also, the scales extend further for- 

 ward on the back as well as, except in the smallest specimens, out on to the base of the unpaired 

 fins. The scales themselves are small, on the whole less than in the other forms of L. pallidns ; the\- 

 are sometimes so close together that the\- partly give one the impression of being imbricate. 



The lateral line has its origin over the upper edge of the gilI-co\-er, bends down towards 

 the anus and can be followed a shorter or longer distance along the lower edge of the tail, sometimes 

 even to the tip of the tail. In addition to this \'entral lateral line, more or less distinct traces of a 

 mediolateral branch are to be seen, sometimes as only single pores, sometimes more numerous pores, 

 partly also as a thin line. 



The colour is uniform, without bands or spots, dark-brown or lighter, yellowish brown or 

 gray-brown, in all the specimens at hand; the scales stand out lighter than the ground-colour; the 

 belly and posterior margin of the gill-cover are darker. 



Sexual organs. The testes are \-er>- broad relative to the length and with very small free 

 folds; in one specimen 245 mm. long, the testis measures 16 nmi. in length by 7 mm. in breadth, the 

 free fold is only 3 mm. long. The largest individual (260 mm.) is a female taken on the 28th of June; 

 the ovar)- is 22 mm. in length and contains eggs with a diameter of 3,5 mm. The next largest female 

 is 147 mm. long; the ovar>' is onh- 8 mm. long and contains extremeh- small eggs. 



In certain respects therefore, the present form is somewhat distant from L. pallidits: the head 

 is relativelv a little shorter; the scales are less and have a wider distribution, both on the belh-, back 



The Ingolf-Expedition. II, 4. 7 



